Mellieha Air Raid Shelter
Mellieha Air Raid Shelter
4.5
Monday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Full view
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
2,013 reviews
Excellent
1,217
Very good
645
Average
134
Poor
12
Terrible
5
Laurence Palmer
United Kingdom12 contributions
Oct 2021 • Couples
Brilliant and well worth the stop.
We took the bus to visit the WWII Shelter in October 2021 and we are so glad we did.
We are staying in Sliema so took the bus for just €2 up to the little town where the shelter is situated. The 222 bus takes you right there.
The bus stop was almost directly outside of the main entrance and next to a beautiful old monastery overlooking the ocean.
The WWII shelter was fantastically preserved and interesting posters and artefacts made this more the worth while.
Tickets are incredibly cheap!!
The gentleman on the door was extremely polite and took time to answer questions and went onto talk about the role of the shelter in WWII.
I can’t thank the gentleman enough and I’m gutted not to have obtained his name to put on here…
To talk about the shelter, the town and Malta was quite fascinating.
The shelter itself is interesting but also rather chilling, providing a feeling of how horrible it must have been to be down there when the bombs were being dropped.
Thank you.
We highly recommend this venue as a place to visit…
The 111 bus runs straight from there to Popeye village so consider it as a stop on the way through.
Nice little shop and restaurant nearby too.
We took the bus to visit the WWII Shelter in October 2021 and we are so glad we did.
We are staying in Sliema so took the bus for just €2 up to the little town where the shelter is situated. The 222 bus takes you right there.
The bus stop was almost directly outside of the main entrance and next to a beautiful old monastery overlooking the ocean.
The WWII shelter was fantastically preserved and interesting posters and artefacts made this more the worth while.
Tickets are incredibly cheap!!
The gentleman on the door was extremely polite and took time to answer questions and went onto talk about the role of the shelter in WWII.
I can’t thank the gentleman enough and I’m gutted not to have obtained his name to put on here…
To talk about the shelter, the town and Malta was quite fascinating.
The shelter itself is interesting but also rather chilling, providing a feeling of how horrible it must have been to be down there when the bombs were being dropped.
Thank you.
We highly recommend this venue as a place to visit…
The 111 bus runs straight from there to Popeye village so consider it as a stop on the way through.
Nice little shop and restaurant nearby too.
Written October 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jonathan K
Chester, UK139 contributions
Nov 2022 • Couples
It's funny how something so basic and simple can take you by surprise ! We were expecting a 'dusty tunnel', to have a quick peek and kill some time .... quite the reverse ... it was wonderful !
The hand-hewn tunnels went on and on and the story felt so real - you could just image how fretful and scary it must have been down there. I just adore museums that have no airs and graces, just have simple and relevant artifacts in their original settings and are unique and this is one of them them.
No tearoom, gift shop or guide books here .... just an authentic experience and a friendly, informative person to take your €2.50. Such good value !
The hand-hewn tunnels went on and on and the story felt so real - you could just image how fretful and scary it must have been down there. I just adore museums that have no airs and graces, just have simple and relevant artifacts in their original settings and are unique and this is one of them them.
No tearoom, gift shop or guide books here .... just an authentic experience and a friendly, informative person to take your €2.50. Such good value !
Written November 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
cheshire3131
Runcorn, UK540 contributions
Jul 2022 • Friends
This was about 5 minutes from the hotel we were staying at. As well as being interesting it was unbelievable as the whole shelter was dug out by hand. The whole visit will probably only take 30 to 45 minutes so definitely worth a visit at €2.40
Written July 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
the reviewer :)
London, UK7 contributions
Jan 2023
Lovely place to visit. Wonderful to learn about the history of this area - definitely worth a visit and only 2.40 euros to enter. Only open at certain hours so will need to check this beforehand but would thoroughly recommend to those vising Mellieha.
Written January 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Martyn
27 contributions
Dec 2021 • Couples
Very surprised on how large the complex was, all dug by hand. Lots of immersive history.
The chap at the entrance had lots of information about how his father and uncle had taken shelter in the war. It is run by a music charity, I think from what he was saying and that they teach music lessons to children. At only €3 (roughly) it was a bargain and well worth it.
The chap at the entrance had lots of information about how his father and uncle had taken shelter in the war. It is run by a music charity, I think from what he was saying and that they teach music lessons to children. At only €3 (roughly) it was a bargain and well worth it.
Written January 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Tasha K
Pontefract, UK6 contributions
Jun 2022 • Solo
My hotel was a 5min walk from here so I welcomed the chance to step back in time to what life was like in wartime Malta. Display cabinets of artefacts greet you near the entrance to give information and the lovely man on the door is so knowledgeable and happy to answer questions and give further information too. The network of underground tunnels seemed endless! I went in alone not too long before closing so it was a little eerie being by myself especially when you come across models in some of the rooms of people that used the shelter! It was a welcome break from the hot sun outside and a good place to take some time to reflect on a few things too. All for the bargain price of €2.40!! Well worth a visit if you're in the area. Well done to those that run it and thank you to the man at the door. You were one of the first local people I spoke to when I arrived in Malta and you made me feel very welcome :)
Written June 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
June A
Surrey, UK2,490 contributions
Feb 2022
To be honest there is very little of interest in the town apart from this (in the winter at least when it's too cold for the beach) so finding this little gem was a real surprise. It's easy to find and just off the main drag and doesn't take long to see. The curator is a really interesting man to talk to and will tell you all about the history of the place which he obviously cares for well. There is a lot to see here despite its small size with lots of fascinating information - the Gozitans endured a lot during the war as everyone did.
Written January 31, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ian H
Whitley Bay, UK20 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
After many visits over the years to Mellieha I eventually decided to take a peep through the small entrance into the shelter. I was greeted by a very enthusiastic attendant who was keen to explain all about the air raid shelter including its construction. I set off down a well lit wide corridor to be confronted with do I turn left or right, I went right and in a short time came to an end, returning the other way I continued down the left option thinking it’ll be much the same as the other way, how mistaken I was. This shelter is huge. You turn a corner and off you go again into one part which is huge in size. Many rooms off the corridors with artefacts symbolising what life was like down there. This huge monument of the Second World War is a must to see, you won’t be disappointed. At the entrance there’s some interesting public artwork cleverly executed by an enthusiastic artist!
Written January 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
pauldl1972
Rayleigh, UK36 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
We have just returned from visiting the air raid shelter and it was a few euros well spent.
The gentleman at the ticket desk was incredibly friendly and knowledgable - his family having used the shelter during WW2, and his uncle’s war medals being on show in the display case. He helped explain how the shelters were constructed, plus also the difficult time Malta endured during the war, plus all sorts of related questions our inquisitive children had.
The shelter its self is incredible, having been hand dug in such a short time, at a time of huge terror. It is an extensive warren of tunnels and rooms which extend under the town’s hillside and as you wander through them you can only amaze at both the incredible job of constructing them, and how it must have been for the thousands of local people who sheltered there.
On a hot summer’s day, they are a good way to spend a cool hour and also put into perspective how terrifying it must have been to have lived in Malta during the war.
The gentleman at the ticket desk was incredibly friendly and knowledgable - his family having used the shelter during WW2, and his uncle’s war medals being on show in the display case. He helped explain how the shelters were constructed, plus also the difficult time Malta endured during the war, plus all sorts of related questions our inquisitive children had.
The shelter its self is incredible, having been hand dug in such a short time, at a time of huge terror. It is an extensive warren of tunnels and rooms which extend under the town’s hillside and as you wander through them you can only amaze at both the incredible job of constructing them, and how it must have been for the thousands of local people who sheltered there.
On a hot summer’s day, they are a good way to spend a cool hour and also put into perspective how terrifying it must have been to have lived in Malta during the war.
Written August 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Anna B
Mansfield, UK17 contributions
Jan 2020
Just an awesome place to visit. We had the pleasure of meeting one of the local men who help run this small attraction. He took the time to explain some of the artefacts that are on display, some of which were medals belonging to his Uncle. Its a place that makes you think about the wars history and all the people involved. It touches your heart. We will definitely visit again when on Malta.
Written February 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
I'm thinking about Covid. How many people are in the shelter at one time? Is it crowded? Masks? Anything else?
John B
Vejle289 contributions
I have never seen it busy and this time we used amask as requested. we were there for 3 weeks and flew home an march 12th
Check out the Covid 19 guide lines now!
MaltaMom
Ozark, MO42 contributions
Is this close to Popeye’s village? Can they be done in same day? Walking? Taxi? We are going to be dropped off at Popeye Village then thought of going here since we will be in this side of island...
Hannane
Island of Malta, Malta22 contributions
1.8 km distance, just go down to the bus station and take the bus 101 to Popeye's Village.
Bruno Meister
Schwabach, Germany194 contributions
Wo ist der Eingang dort?
Ist das ausgeschildert?
Sascha R
Grenchen, Switzerland36 contributions
Ja, der Eingang ist beschildert allerdings die Zugänge eher weniger. Der Bunker ist ganz in der Nähe bei der Kirche in der Fussgängerzone.
Maddii N
Leeds, UK46 contributions
Hi, I'm going to Mellieha next month and want to know the address for his place so I know how far away it is from my hotel. My hotel is the Luna Holiday Complex, if anyone knows how far away it is that would be great! Thank you!
Lucyjoanne M
Scarborough, UK3 contributions
you could literly walk up the hill opposite the underground church very easy stroll say about 11 minutes
HUGH C
Bearsden, UK10 contributions
I'm planning to visit Malta 20-27 Oct. How do I get to it from Euro Club Hotel Qawra and is it open every day?
buntymanWalesUk
wales uk64 contributions
Have tried to visit the air raid shelter for the last few years and every time we have gone they have been closed. We are returning again mid November, does anyone know when they are open then. Thanks
Mellieha Air Raid Shelter - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Mellieha Air Raid Shelter
- Mellieha Air Raid Shelter is open:
- Mon - Sat 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
- Hotels near Mellieha Air Raid Shelter:
- (0.00 mi) Mellieha Centre Apartments
- (0.06 mi) Lure Hotel & Spa
- (0.12 mi) Maritim Antonine Hotel & Spa
- (0.15 mi) Pergola Hotel & Spa
- (0.11 mi) Mellieha apartment sea view
- Restaurants near Mellieha Air Raid Shelter:
- (0.02 mi) Il-Bottegin
- (0.03 mi) Square Gastro Bar
- (0.10 mi) Villager by Munchies
- (0.08 mi) Commando Restaurant
- (0.08 mi) Sea View Bar